One of the frequent calls I get is from clients who are looking to sell just furniture, usually a dining room set, sometimes a bedroom suite or living room furniture. While we absolutely do sell furniture at auction as part of the estate, we can’t take sales that are just furniture (we help people who are selling 50% or more of the estate’s contents).
What do you do with Thomasville, Ethan Allen and other quality furniture pieces? Consignment Stores are an excellent option and we have several really good ones in our area. If you’re not in this area, a quick Google search should give you some options.
First, let’s talk about how this usually works. Every store will have their own policies, but generally speaking, you’ll want to first call the store to see if they are taking the items you have to sell. They may have you send them photos so they can assess whether it’s something they’ll be able to sell within the consignment period – typically 3 months. If the items are a fit for their shop, you’ll make arrangements to get the furniture to them. Some stores are able to pick up the furniture for you, others will connect you with a moving service that you’ll pay up front for transport from your home to the store. The store then puts your items on their sales floor, where it’s available for shoppers to view and hopefully purchase.
Some stores have a tiered pricing system where the price drops every 30 days. This helps get the item sold, which is what you want! While most consignment stores are typically looking for furniture, some will take decorative items, like lamps and art. It’s worth asking if you have some of these things to sell also.
Here are the stores I recommend. I have shopped at all of them and they do a great job displaying pieces.
Consignment Corner – Amherst, NH
Village Consignment – Chelmsford, MA
Consignment Gallery – Bedford, NH
Bedford Home Consignment – Bedford, NH
Consignment Gallery at 56 – Clinton, MA
There are some furniture items that are just difficult to move due to changing tastes and styles. China cabinets, wingback and arm chairs, single wooden chairs, media cabinets and TV stands, sofas and most older upholstered pieces may need to be given away for free, or you can have a removal service take them. Again, this depends on the age, style and condition. Most furniture from 1970s-early 2000s is going to be a tougher sell. Dark wood and patterned upholstery adds to the challenge.
